Event Details

Working with Your Board

Effectively working with your board is more art than science. Understanding governance structures is only one piece of the puzzle. Perhaps more important is how Executive Directors manage relationships with board members. This workshop is intended to help Executive Directors and leadership staff members develop strategies for tackling these issues head on.

Topics that will be discussed include:

· Challenges and opportunities of managing a board,

· Governance structures,

· Effective board member engagement, and

· Board member involvement in fundraising.

While all nonprofit staff members will find value in this workshop, it will be particularly helpful to the executive directors of small and mid-sized nonprofit organizations.

This workshop will be facilitated by Matthew Downey. Matthew has worked with nonprofits as a consultant, program manager and development officer for over 20 years. He is the Nonprofit Services Program Director for Johnson Center for Philanthropy where he oversees technical assistance and capacity building services.

In this capacity, he is a frequent speaker and instructor on a wide array of nonprofit issues. Previously, Matthew worked with numerous organizations including Gilmore Keyboard Festival (Kalamazoo), St. Mary's Hospital for Children (Bayside, N.Y.); and Child Care Action Campaign (New York, N.Y.). Matthew is President of Wellspring Dancers (Kalamazoo).

He holds a B.S. in Nonprofit Arts Administration from Butler University and an M.P.A. from Grand Valley State University. In 2010 and 2012, Matthew was recognized by Grand Rapids Business Journal as one of West Michigan’s 40 business leaders under 40, and in 2011 was named Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year by the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Greater Grand Rapids.

·In the case that you are unable to attend a workshop or course after registering, please call Sherry at 616-331-9023 or email collvers@gvsu.edu in advance of the event to be refunded or credited for another event.